Thaksin's Passport: Old Controversy Could Spark New Round Of Conflict

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Old controversy could spark new round of conflict
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The issue of Thaksin Shinawatra's passport has resurfaced, with the potential to cause even more trouble in our already deeply divided society

Thai politics is cursed to always be haunted by ghosts from the past. Even during relatively calm periods like now, something is usually cooking. A storm might be brewing already for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who sooner rather than later will have to respond to another inquiry involving her older brother. Another dilemma looms. Another potential banana skin has presented itself.

The parliamentary ombudsmen have concluded that the Foreign Ministry's issuance of a new passport to Thaksin Shinawatra last year was wrong and, frustrated with the ministry's nonchalant attitude, have asked Yingluck to step in and do something. She might be able to delay her decision, but the issue will not go away. A lack of response from Yingluck, or her Cabinet, or the Pheu Thai-dominated Parliament, could prompt the ombudsmen to turn to the Administrative Court. Once there, what now looks merely like a political firecracker could become a tinderbox. There could be all kinds of possibilities - court injunction of the passport, a subsequent appeal with the Constitution Court against the government's "unconstitutional practice", pro- and anti-government protests and so on.

The Foreign Ministry's stand is that a travelling Thaksin is harmless. It's a reversal of the policy from the days of the Democrats, but even if Thaksin uses his passport to make "innocent" journeys, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul's relentless help for the man in exile contains other possible legal loose ends.

The ombudsmen might seek to force open a parliamentary disclosure of passport rules and regulations. The government could be embarrassed, but that should the least of its concerns. After all, the Thaksin-related crisis has already seen the late Samak Sundaravej removed as prime minister for being paid to appear on a TV cooking show. Which is more serious - getting paid for an appearance on a TV programme or helping a fugitive get a passport? It isn't too hard to answer.

Thaksin's Thai passport is as much about pride as it is about travel convenience. His fight for "justice" is as much about perception as it is about legality. But again, accommodating Thaksin is threatening to cost Yingluck a big political price. It seems that Thaksin cannot be rejuvenated without his sister looking weaker.

Some argue that the "Thaksin line" has been crossed many times already, to Yingluck's advantage. The government has never been held legally accountable for frequent contacts between its office holders and the fugitive former prime minister. A senior police official has even openly put up Thaksin's photo in his office, daring anyone to initiate legal action over his admiration for the man. The line is getting more blurred as leading countries welcome Thaksin as a VIP guest.

Issuing Thaksin a passport could, in a way, be described as a move to put all the farces to bed by giving them some kind of formalisation. But whether the Thaksin-related past deeds of government officials will help the Foreign Ministry defend its case, or whether the passport will open a new can of worms, remains to be seen.

One school of thought says helping Thaksin will get easier with his opponents in disarray. Another counters that the opponents had better be kept in disarray rather than galvanised by coordinated efforts to help him.

Which camp has the better analysis? It's not that easy to draw a conclusion. If the government opts for non-provocation and enjoys a smooth, trouble-free period, some people will always wonder if they should have exploited the situation a bit more. On the other hand, if provocation leads to something unsavoury, there will always be those who argue that something was bound to happen anyway, passport or no passport.

The "ghosts" are getting trickier and they are being made meaner by mutual mistrust, which is looking more and more like the biggest curse of all.


-- The Nation 2013-02-26

[Buchholz]

frustrated with the ministry's nonchalant attitude, have asked Yingluck to step in and do something. She might be able to delay her decision, but the issue will not go away.

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She can't delay it too long. She was given a 30-day deadline and has only until March 13 to respond.

Meanwhile, her's and Thaksin's cousin, the Foreign Minister has blown off his 30-day deadline to explain his illegal actions as it stands now at 170 days.... with the caveat that he lied and said he sent his explanation months ago (he didn't).

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Ombudsman asks PM to review Thaksin passport decision

“The Foreign Ministry failed to verify the previous and new facts concerning Thaksin’s status,” he said. “The Ombudsman has submitted its opinions and proposal to the Foreign Ministry but no action was taken.”

Ombudsman Sriracha Charoenpanich signed letter dated Feb 12, to the prime minister, seeking her reply within 30 days.

which comes 155 days after Ombudsman Sriracha signed a letter dated Sept 10, to the foreign minister, seeking his reply within 30 days.

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Edited February 26, 2013 by Buchholz

[coma]

Which is more serious - getting paid for an appearance on a TV programme or helping a fugitive get a passport? It isn't too hard to answer.

I would love an answer to this question from 1 or 2 current Phea Thai party members.

[bigbamboo]

Thaksin's got a whole pile of passports anyway, some of them very expensive, so he doesn't need his Thai one to travel the world running the country and avoiding assassination attempts.

[Thai at Heart]

Old story?

Just another but of corruption the media let go to rest.

[Buchholz]

Old story?

Just another but of corruption the media let go to rest.

As the months of not responding to their being called out on the illegality of their actions drag on, it is becoming a bit of old story.

The media have, to their credit, at least have provided updates during that time on the government's non-responsive, non-accountable way in which it operates.

The onus now is on the Ombudsman Office to say on March 14th, enough of your stalling BS, and take the case up with the proper authorities.

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[Locationthailand]

Such a crock of crap. The man is a convicted criminal, further charges pending and a bail jumper to boot. And these clowns re-issued him with a passport? Wake up Thailand. The roots of the Shinawatra clan are many, varied and extensive.

[Robby nz]

Sure he does have other passports but with a Thai one the Govt can arrange for him to get VIP treatment as a Thai rep.

A case in point is him being able to get into the USA somewhere he would not have got without the assistance of the Thai Govt.

[ratcatcher]

Sure he does have other passports but with a Thai one the Govt can arrange for him to get VIP treatment as a Thai rep.

A case in point is him being able to get into the USA somewhere he would not have got without the assistance of the Thai Govt.

He did indeed obtain permission to enter the United states, but his visit was hardly that of a VIP, scurrying around in L.A. at a food court. He wasn't intending to meet Obama or anyone particularly important.

[DLock]

Thaksin's got a whole pile of passports anyway, some of them very expensive, so he doesn't need his Thai one to travel the world running the country and avoiding assassination attempts.

You missed the point completely.

[virtualtraveller]

It's all for face, selling the idea to the masses that he's acceptable and normal and the victim of politically motivated non-charges. But keep the pressure on Yingluck, because it's not normal. And it's time she 'manned' up to her 'prime minister' responsibilities and gave us her thoughts on issuing passports to fugitive criminals, one way or another.

[bigbamboo]

Thaksin's got a whole pile of passports anyway, some of them very expensive, so he doesn't need his Thai one to travel the world running the country and avoiding assassination attempts.

You missed the point completely.

Really?

If you believe that Yingluck is the real PM and everything PT does is held to account by checks and balances then fine.

If you believe the BB is the de facto boss running the country then his Thai PP is a side issue.

[bendejo]

Sure he does have other passports but with a Thai one the Govt can arrange for him to get VIP treatment as a Thai rep.

A case in point is him being able to get into the USA somewhere he would not have got without the assistance of the Thai Govt.

He did indeed obtain permission to enter the United states, but his visit was hardly that of a VIP, scurrying around in L.A. at a food court. He wasn't intending to meet Obama or anyone particularly important.

All it takes is one US Senator and an envelope full of cash.

No refunds.

[DLock]

Thaksin's got a whole pile of passports anyway, some of them very expensive, so he doesn't need his Thai one to travel the world running the country and avoiding assassination attempts.

You missed the point completely.

Really?

If you believe that Yingluck is the real PM and everything PT does is held to account by checks and balances then fine.

If you believe the BB is the de facto boss running the country then his Thai PP is a side issue.

What is a BB?

Apart from that your post has no context to the article.

[Ricardo]

'BB' = Big Boss + the Man in Dubai = real Prime Minister , according to the recent article in the New York Times.

Which has been denied by the legal PM, Ms Yingluck, but not AFAIK by the clone-sibling himself., as yet.

[tomross46]

'BB' = Big Boss + the Man in Dubai = real Prime Minister , according to the recent article in the New York Times.

Which has been denied by the legal PM, Ms Yingluck, but not AFAIK by the clone-sibling himself., as yet.

BB is also Big Brother, George Orwell. 1984, He will take over every think, he will have his puppets in every portion of government. Time means nothing, results mean everything. Now the wealth of the SET is being taken over PTT and THAI Air have his puppets in charge. It will not be money laundering through the banks, the SET is easier to cover up.

[Robby nz]

Sure he does have other passports but with a Thai one the Govt can arrange for him to get VIP treatment as a Thai rep.

A case in point is him being able to get into the USA somewhere he would not have got without the assistance of the Thai Govt.

He did indeed obtain permission to enter the United states, but his visit was hardly that of a VIP, scurrying around in L.A. at a food court. He wasn't intending to meet Obama or anyone particularly important.

Its not a matter of who he met or didn't meet but the fact that got in there at all.

I am sure the powers that be in the US are very aware of his status as a convicted crim on the run yet he still managed to get into the country.

Although if what I read in the news is correct about questions being asked in high places as to why he was allowed in then he is unlikely to be welcomed back.

[chainarong]

This is all very well having departments challenging this fiasco, where's the opposition, they should be applying relentless pressure , that's their roll , to make the government as uncomfortable as possible, as for issuing a new passport, whats the rule on criminals, ones who jump bail and fly BA , HK to UK., just what were the conditions of he's bail release on that passport, betcha none .The start of this bullsh!!t lies solely with the now opposition, which needs to lift its game. time for a cuppa

[Arkady]

What is the problem with P' Meow's Thai passport? He has done nothing wrong.

[Buchholz]

What is the problem with P' Meow's Thai passport? He has done nothing wrong.

.

The Ombudsman Office ruled that Thaksin/Yingluck cousin Foreign Minister Surapong acted illegally and broke Foreign Ministry's own rules by issuing a new passport to a convicted fugitive, as well as to a person who had outstanding arrest warrants for still pending cases.

.

Edited February 26, 2013 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

This is all very well having departments challenging this fiasco, where's the opposition, they should be applying relentless pressure , that's their roll , to make the government as uncomfortable as possible, as for issuing a new passport, whats the rule on criminals, ones who jump bail and fly BA , HK to UK., just what were the conditions of he's bail release on that passport, betcha none .The start of this bullsh!!t lies solely with the now opposition, which needs to lift its game. time for a cuppa:coffee1:

.

The opposition has been applying pressure for over a year.

With the Pheu Thai Party Foreign Minister and the Pheu Thai Party Prime Minister blowing them off as well as completely disregarding the Ombudsman Office's findings, there's a limit on what can be done by those entities when the Pheu Thai Party is determined to just scoff and obfuscate whenever their illegal actions are brought to light.

It's time to raise the stakes for the PTP and the Ombudsman Office would be best to do that.

.

Edited February 26, 2013 by Buchholz

[Chupup]

My take on this government is that they really do not give a flying fk, they do just what they want because they CAN

[Buchholz]

My take on this government is that they really do not give a flying fk, they do just what they want because they CAN

Agree.

2013 is much like 2003.

.

[otherstuff1957]

I don't really see this becoming an issue. The FM has managed to drag the issue out for several months. The PM will do the same. If the Ombudsman then refers it to the Constitutional Court, they will probably consider the manner for several months and then tell the PM to order the FM to revoke the passport. She will send him a memo (after a few weeks) which he will lose or forget to read. Etc, etc, etc...

I rather expect that the consequences of ignoring the Constitutional Court would be little more than a slap on the wrist. Nothing that a nice box of pastry wouldn't fix.

[dcutman]

My take on this government is that they really do not give a flying fk, they do just what they want because they CAN

Agree.

2013 is much like 2003.

.

The censure debate. How are those investigations coming along?

[Buchholz]

I don't really see this becoming an issue. The FM has managed to drag the issue out for several months. The PM will do the same. If the Ombudsman then refers it to the Constitutional Court, they will probably consider the manner for several months and then tell the PM to order the FM to revoke the passport. She will send him a memo (after a few weeks) which he will lose or forget to read. Etc, etc, etc...

I rather expect that the consequences of ignoring the Constitutional Court would be little more than a slap on the wrist. Nothing that a nice box of pastry wouldn't fix.

.

Just for the record, the case would go to the Administrative Court, not the Constitutional Court.

Also, for the record, the potential penalties Cousin Foreign Minister Surapong faces is a testament to the lengths family members will go for one another.

The Emblem of the Administrative Court and the Office of the Administrative Courts

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has graciously bestowed upon the Administrative Court and the Office of the Administrative Courts the sceptre to be partly the emblem of the Administrative Court and the Office of the Administrative Courts. The sceptre is placed in the middle of the balance, on the gilded bowl. Below, there is a bunch of cassia nodosa placed near the circumference of the oval.

Administrative Court website

http://www.admincour...ourt/emblem.htm

the penalties of violating Section 157 of the Penal Code by the Cousin Foreign Minister (they can skip the monetary fine portion as he's a multimillionaire)

Section 157

Whoever, being an official, wrongfully exercises or does not exercise any of his functions to the injury of any person, or dishonestly exercises or omits to exercise any of his functions, shall be punished with imprisonment of one to ten years or fined of two thousand to twenty thousand Baht, or both.

[fxe1200]

Such a crock of crap. The man is a convicted criminal, further charges pending and a bail jumper to boot. And these clowns re-issued him with a passport? Wake up Thailand. The roots of the Shinawatra clan are many, varied and extensive.

Thailand could easily apply to Interpol, to issue a red arrest warrant. The legal prerequisites are existent. Then it would not matter, what kind of passports he owns. Interpol has 190 members, Dubai though is not on the list, one of the rare places in the world, where he can eat shit and bark at the moon.

[Maestro]

I have deleted a badly written post barely comprehensible enough to recognise that it is in violation of forum rule 15, ie "criticizing the legal proceedings or judgments of any Thai court of law"

[hellodolly]

Thaksin's got a whole pile of passports anyway, some of them very expensive, so he doesn't need his Thai one to travel the world running the country and avoiding assassination attempts.

That's not why he got one. He got one to cause trouble.

[paymaster]

What is the problem with P' Meow's Thai passport? He has done nothing wrong.

.

The Ombudsman Office ruled that Thaksin/Yingluck cousin Foreign Minister Surapong acted illegally and broke Foreign Ministry's own rules by issuing a new passport to a convicted fugitive, as well as to a person who had outstanding arrest warrants for still pending cases.

.

Not to mention that those troublesome officials at immigration wouldn't issue one. I understand that the minister used his master key and with a couple of cronies popped into the office on a Sunday morning, opened up and just illegally issued the passport.